A morning walk from Reigate Heath – 15th of July

Woods fields and rivers. Real variety right on our doorstep.

Summer is a busy time but I didn’t want to pass up a chance to walk together in July. So, we will start early (9:30am) from Reigate Heath Car Park. This walk heads through the woods at the North end of the Heath (past the spot where I made this sketch) and out through fields to join the Greensand Way. We then head south to the River Mole and loop back to the car Park.

Walk Details

Walk Date and time: 15th of July, 9:30am

Walk length: 4 miles

Start point: Reigate Heath car park, Flanchford Road, RH2 8AB.

Notes: Easy and level walk but there may be some mud if it has been raining. Free car park.

A return to Ranmore Common – 19th of August

A Shady woodland walk in the height of Summer.

The Surrey Hills are the most wooded district in England and Ranmore Common is a beautiful example. The woods are constantly being replanted so there are a huge variety of trees, from tiny saplings to ancient Oaks. The woods are lovely to walk through in the summer with the light filtering through the trees. We will do a ring around the edge of the woods ending up at Ranmore Church and the Old School.

Walk Details

Date and Time: 19th of August, 2pm

Walk Length: 5 miles

Start Point: Ranmore Common East Car Park, Wotton, Dorking RH5 6SR

Notes: The car park is free to National Trust members, £4 for non-members. There are some steep slopes and rough ground but generally an easy walk on good paths.

London Awayday – September 16th

A different view of West London.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Wimbledon’? Lawn tennis, strawberries and cream. Although we pass quite close to the Lawn Tennis club we see a different view of West London. The parks and country houses give us a chance to see this part of London as it was before it became part of the city. Most of the walk is in park country, going through Wimbledon Park and Richmond Park but we also walk through residential parts of this part of the city.

The walk is 6.8 miles. A bit longer than normal but it will be spread out over a whole day with a picnic. More details on train times and arrangements will be published nearer the time.

To see details of the walk click on the link below:

walk details

Group Walk – Godstone Vineyard and Woldingham School

Enjoy the rich countryside inside the M25

This corner of the Green Belt, between the A22 and the M25 was a revelation to me. With rich farmland, secluded valleys and ancient woodland it is a perfect example of English countryside. The brief glimpses of the motorway remind us how close to London we are.

The walk will be led by Ken Sheppard.

The walk starts at Godstone Vineyard where there is parking. As the Vineyard closes at 4pm we will be starting this walk at 10:30am. We will walk in a wide loop taking in the extensive grounds of Woldingham school. Returning to the Vineyard there is time for refreshment, a light lunch or a visit to the wine shop.

Walk Details

Walk date and Time: Saturday 24th of June. 10:30am

Walk distance: 4.5 miles

Walk start: Godstone Vineyards, Quarry Road, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8DQ

Directions from Redhill/Reigate: Take A25 Godstone, then A22 & at the motorway roundabout  across  take 2nd exit A22 to Caterham. After only 200  yards turn right on to a small road with a sign , Godstone Vineyard then follow the signs. The coffee shop & vineyard are in a very pleasant setting &  is very welcoming place.

Notes: There is one steep climb with steps.

Group Walk – Westcott

Fishing ponds and Glamping in the Surrey Hills – February 18th

Although this is only 4 miles long it has a lot in it. We start from the beautiful village of Westcott and head past some picturesque fishing ponds and a field full of Yurts. From here the path gently rises until we are on a broad path at the top of a ridge. We head down into the valley past some beautiful cottages next to the Tillingbourne river.

Walk Details

Date and Time: February the 18th, 10am

Walk start: There is a small car Park at Holy Trinity Church, Logmore Ln, Westcott, Dorking RH4 3NN. This is just off the main road. If you cannot park there then there is parking in the village.

Walk Distance: 4 miles

Notes: Mostly easy walking. There is one short, steep climb up to the ridge.

Headley Heath and the Grand Ride

Rare Heathland, woodland and a grassy ride.

Headley Heath has always been a bit of challenge for us. With so many paths we have struggled to find a reliable walk to take people on. So, when we practiced this walk, we had a book, a map and a compass to make sure we were going the right way. The result is a walk with a lot of interest. We start at the main Headley Heath Car Park and head over the rare landscape of the Heath. After climbing past the ‘High Ashurst’ activity centre we walk through a forest of Box Trees with strange green/yellow trunks.

One of the highlights of the walk was a beautiful, wide, grassy ride. Altogether, a walk worth doing.

Walk Details

Date and Time: 18th of March, 2pm

Starting point: Headley Heath, Headley Common Rd, Headley, Epsom KT18 6NN

Distance: 5 miles

Notes: Make sure you are at the main car park. This is a large car park opposite the small cricket ground. This is a National Trust Car Park. If you are not a member then you will have to pay Parking charges. Mostly an easy walk but there are some short steep slopes up and down and narrow stony paths. There are cattle on Headley Heath and horses towards the end of the walk.

Reigate Heath, Buckland and the Pilgrim’s Way

Lovely, local, 6 mile walk on the 15th of April

We have so much to enjoy right on our doorstep. This walk starts from Reigate Heath Car Park. We follow the Greensand way for a short while then head up through the village of Buckland. This is one of my favourite walks with wide views across the valley at the base of the Downs. We continue on the Pilgrim’s way before heading back to Reigate Heath.

Walk Details

Date and Time: 15th of April, 2pm

Starting point: Reigate Heath Car Park, Flanchford Rd, Reigate RH2 8AB

Distance: 6 miles

Notes: A gentle walk with very little gradient. If it has been wet then the Pilgrim’s way can be a bit slippery and muddy.

Group Walk – Leith Hill in Autumn – 29 October

A perfect time to walk around Leith Hill with the Autumn colours on the trees. We start from the Landslip car park and climb steeply to the top of Leith Hill. Watch out for the ‘Hurts’ – the local name for delicious little blueberries. We then swing through the woods and bracken to the lovely village of Coldharbour. Please note, this walk starts in the morning as the clocks have changed.

Walk Details

Date and Time – 29th of October 9:30am

Length of walk – 5 miles

Starting from: Landslip car park, Abinger Road, near Coldharbour. Dorking Surrey. Nearest postcode RH5 6HG

There is a steep climb at the start of the walk and quite a lot of tree roots and uneven ground. The tea and cake kiosk is open at Leith Hill Tower. A good walk for dogs as there are few roads and fields.

Group Walk – Outwood – Fields, woods and views – 19 November

One of our favourite walks, with a real mixture of woods, fields and amazing views. There are some interesting buildings on the route including a working chapel. As the clocks have changed this will be a morning walk, starting at 9:30am. At the end of the walk there is a opportunity to have some refreshment at the, very welcoming, Bell pub.

Walk details

Time and Date: 19th of November, 9:30am

Walk length: 6 miles

Starting point: Outwood Lane, Outwood, Redhill, RH1 5PW – This is a National Trust Car park.

Generally an easy walk with some gentle slopes. Some parts will have mud if there has been wet weather.

Group Walk – Ranmore Common to Polesden Lacey – 24 September

Starting at the main Ranmore Common Car Park we head south to Polesden Lacey. We walk through autumnal woods and swing past Polesden Lacey, admiring the views of South East London. On this 4.5 mile walk we have time to stop and have a cup of tea at the cafe before heading back through the woods.

Walk Details

Date and Time – 24th September, 2pm

Starting from: Denbies Hillside car park, Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6SR

Walk Length – 4.5 miles

There may be some mud in wet weather. Some steep slopes near Polesden Lacey.